Winter ready 38 www.aftermarketonline.net OCTOBER 2025 Top seasonal tips to prep cooling systems As colder weather approaches, technicians play a crucial role in ensuring vehicles remain reliable through the winter months says Mike Schlup, MD of coolant leak repair technology specialists K-Seal International. A properly maintained cooling system is vital — not only for preventing overheating but also for protecting the engine from freezing temperatures. Here are the key steps to follow. 1. Inspect and test the coolant Start by checking coolant levels and testing antifreeze protection with a refractometer or test strips. Low concentration can lead to freezing and severe engine damage. Also look for signs of contamination or rust. 2. Check components and pressure test Examine hoses, clamps, and the radiator cap for wear, cracks, or soft spots. A pressure test helps identify weak points or system leaks before they cause breakdowns in winter conditions. Don’t forget to inspect the thermostat and water pump for proper operation. 3. Flush and refill if needed If coolant is more than 2-3 years old, or test results are poor, perform a full flush. Refill with the correct type and mixture ratio of antifreeze specified by the vehicle manufacturer. 4. Tackle leaks quickly Even minor coolant leaks can escalate in winter when the system is under extra stress. If a leak is found and replacement of components is not immediately possible, a product such as K-Seal can be used. Recommended by nine out of 10 motor factors, K-Seal is a pour-in solution that mixes with the coolant and seals leaks in the radiator, head gasket, heater core, or water pump casing. By thoroughly inspecting, servicing, and protecting the cooling system — and using K-Seal when needed — technicians can help motorists avoid costly breakdowns and ensure safe, dependable performance. Visit www.kseal.com to find out more. Independent workshops are increasingly called on to provide practical advice, in addition to fixing problems with customers’ vehicles. That is why Ecobat Battery encourages technicians to establish a battery testing policy for every vehicle that comes into the workshop, irrespective of what it is booked in for. Research from CTEK, one of the many reputable brands supplied by Ecobat, has discovered one in three vehicles entering a workshop has a battery in need of attention. That figure jumps to over 50% in winter. However, while more than half of all drivers have suffered battery failure, fewer than 25% regularly charge their batteries. Having established that a battery has reached the end of its life and needs replacing, as well as fitting the best possible replacement, is a choice made easy using the Ecobat Battery finder tool. Technicians should recommend buying a battery charger so motorists can regularly test batteries and help maintain the maximum life cycle. Using a charger may not be easy, because not everyone has a driveway and access to power, but those that do have a wide choice of CTEK chargers to consider. However, workshops can provide the advice customers need by simply explaining how to find the charger best suited for their requirements. Visit https://www.ecobatbattery. com/brands/ctek/ for details. Ecobat urges battery testing
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